Panel Explores Use Of Geographical Indications For Development 21/12/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Intellectual property related to geographically-specific products can be harnessed for development purposes, argued panellists at a recent event in Geneva. But there are specific challenges related to using such tools in the developing world that must also be addressed.
Take Two — China’s Proposed Regulations For Patent-Involving National Standards 21/12/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Standards Administration of China patent policy proposal fails to strike the desired balance and undervalues the intellectual property included in a standard. If implemented as worded, it will discourage the contribution of innovative technologies for use in national standards and the participation of patent holders, writes George Willingmyre.
China’s Standards And Patent Innovation Proposals — Problems For IPR And Global Trade? 21/12/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Although the Standardization Administration of China is trying to balance the requirements of society, which include the rights of individuals, owners of IP and institutional investors to invest in innovation by earning a reasonable fair return on their patented products with the right of all members of society to benefit from innovation and new technologies; the balance by all accounts has not been made with its recently proposed legislation, writes Dr Ruth Taplin.
IP-Protected Assets Need Carefully Crafted Contractual Framework, Experts Say 19/12/2009 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Contracts covering new technologies and intangible assets protected by intellectual property rights, notably through patents, industrial designs or copyright, need to be carefully crafted to establish clear ownership of IP rights, said experts at a recent seminar in Geneva. This is the case for contracts related to research carried out in universities or when companies enter a licensing agreement.
Metaphors And Folk Devils — Google’s William Patry Talks About His New Book 17/12/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Google’s William Patry discusses copyright myths, misleading metaphors, fear of new technologies and outdated business models in a video interview.
WIPO Draft On Visually Impaired Shows Breakthrough; A-V Treaty Negotiation Under Discussion 17/12/2009 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Draft chair’s conclusions out today show the World Intellectual Property Organization is poised to make paradigm-shifting breakthroughs to expand access to reading materials for the visually impaired. WIPO members this week also are considering the possibility of high-level negotiations on a new treaty for the protection of audiovisual performances.
International Policy Network — Fake Scare About Fake Drugs 15/12/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch 8 Comments Recent customs seizures by some European Union members of Indian-made generic drugs en route to Latin America have caused uproar amongst development NGOs. But their claims are not only wide of the mark but dangerous, say Philip Stevens and Julian Harris.
US Government, Industry De-Emphasise Multilateral System In Enforcement Push 14/12/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The Obama administration and industry groups like the Motion Picture Association of America continue to keep their policy focus squarely on protection and enforcement of IP assets, but in testimony to the US Congress last week made no mention of multilateral venues for advancing these interests through new policy instruments.
UNITAID Drug Patent Pool Implementation Hinges On Board 11/12/2009 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Implementation of a United Nations-related patent pool initiative that independent reviewers say could save millions of lives (and dollars) is set to be approved next week by the initiative’s board, though some observers fear resistance from strong patent beneficiaries, such as the foundation run by Microsoft founder Bill Gates. A confidential report on the initiative prepared for board approval is expected to show multiple benefits to implementation of the pool, but also some concerns, according to informed sources.
HIV/AIDS Treatment Access Policies: Emerging Incentives for Pro-Poor Changes to IP? 08/12/2009 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Daniele Dionisio argues some perspectives on health and IP might change now that controversial practices at the WTO, World Bank and IMF are increasingly under pressure, and that new government policy choices and actors on the world chessboard are emerging.